By Sandi Durell
Each time I have the opportunity to listen to Veronica Swift, young in years – old in soul, it reinforces the fact that this up and coming jazz star in the making has it all. She grows before my very eyes.
Now that she has a residency on Saturday evenings at Birdland Jazz and a full attentive house of aficionados, it’s evident that I am just one of the many appreciative members of a jazz community who all feel similarly. A room filled with diners, enjoying some good food, yet everyone focused on this 23 year old who grew up in a house of jazz (Stephanie Nakasian, mother/ Hod O’Brien, father), recording with Richie Cole at the age of nine.
Her styles cover the gamut from misty and breathy, to hauntingly passionate, swinging or soulful, as she delivers her own interpretations of standards – “No Not Much” (Robert Allen, Al Stillman); “By Myself” and “Confessions” . . . wine can’t compare with gin . . . I always go to bed at ten and then I go home at four . . . (both Schwartz & Dietz); slow to swingin’ “Gypsy in My Soul” (Clay Boland) and always a tribute to Dad – “Darn That Dream” (Billie Holiday). And . . . she even sings in Portuguese!
Her vocals are flawless as she riffs, scats and runs the gamut sliding up and down the scales.
After much applause, at the conclusion of her show, Veronica came back on stage to encore with Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You.” She was backed by Tardo Hammer on piano, Neal Minor on bass and Aaron Kimmel on drums.
Check the www.BirdlandJazz.com (315 West 44 Street, NYC) schedule for all of Veronica’s upcoming dates.
